The F.A.Z. is not known for lurid headlines, but this
topic was too tempting even for the business editors
("Mercedes announces high profits and almost simultaneously
applies for "Kurzarbeit"/short-time work";
FAZ, Wirtschaft, p.15 of 21 Feb. 2023).
Politicians express outrage, but what is the legal
situation? Will generous subsidies now be followed by meticulous
checks and, in the end, strict penalties?
While, in December 2022, the German government extended easier
access to short-time allowances until the end of June 2023 (which
was justified by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs because
supply chains continue to be disrupted), the reviews of the
approval notices by the German Federal Employment Agency are still
underway. According to new estimates by the Munich-based Ifo
Institute, the number of people on short-time working will remain
at a (relatively) low level - currently probably below one percent
of the workforce. But the issue is anything but "off
